About the role#
APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates for a full-time, paid internship within the Crisis Management & Litigation practice team. You will gain hands-on experience managing reputational risk and strategic response planning. This includes monitoring media coverage, drafting communications materials, and supporting client engagements during high-stakes situations.
What you'll do#
- Conduct rapid research and monitor media to inform client strategy.
- Contribute to scenario planning, stakeholder mapping, and preparedness exercises.
- Draft holding statements, Q&As, backgrounders, and other crisis communication materials.
- Assist with the development of client proposals.
- Track news events and competitor happenings.
- Identify and compile lists of media contacts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What you'll need#
- Demonstrated interest in communications, journalism, or political science.
- Ability to work in a distributed team environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong research, critical thinking, and organizational abilities.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to multi-task and work independently.
- Availability to work 40 hours per week.
- US Work Authorization (candidates requiring sponsorship are not eligible).
Location & details#
- Locations: Washington, DC; New York, NY; or Chicago, IL.
- Term: Winter 2027 (January 12, 2027 to May 21, 2027).
- Modality: Hybrid.
- Compensation: $18.40 per hour.
- Application Deadline: October 2, 2026.
About APCO
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm founded in 1984. It assists organizations in building common ground across various sectors. The firm specializes in public affairs, corporate communication, and crisis management. It is a privately held company based in Washington, DC, with a staff size between 1,001 and 5,000 employees.
How to get in at APCO
Applying to APCO early provides a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can apply among the first before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your resume to a crowded queue. You can then focus your energy on the next steps of the process. Intern Insider also surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. Connecting with a human recruiter materially improves your response rates compared to a standard submission. It is a more effective way to demonstrate your interest in the firm.
